In that way though, I figure there are books similar to mine (though I want to be unique!)and I’m not above admitting to that. After all, those readers might be my readers some day ^_^

Thanks though for the examples of how *not* to present yourself.

A while back, I stumbled across a blog post of yours that lead me here. I have been enjoying your website for more than a year now, and I have to say, I love your plain-talking way of training us willy writers. I have never found you to be disrespectful, even when it is called for.

On the flip side, I have no respect for anyone named”Anonymous”, and feel the same about their posts–which are usually drive-by bashings of you or one of your followers. Folks, if you believe in what you are saying, put your name to it, Coward. If you don’t stand behind your reply, why are you wasting our collective time posting your dribble?

I thought it was a great post, Rachelle. I, myself, would never be so cocky in a query, but there is lots of useful info in here. Thank you!

Paced and structured similar to “The Maze Runner”
Takes place in Heaven and Hell like “What Dreams May Come”
Uses a plot device akin to Philip Jose Farmer’s “Riverworld”
Romance and rival families like “Romeo and Juliet”
Mixes elements of magical fantasy and science fiction

I’m still a few months away from query stage, but I’ve been thinking about how exactly to explain this. In addition, some comparables might be negative (like Maze Runner) since dystopian is not exactly in publishing demand these days and my book isn’t a dystopia.

In short, what exactly makes a book similar enough to mention as a similar title? Is it wise to claim “aaa” meets “bbb” meets “ccc” meets “ddd”?

I’d say get to know Boolian search techniques.

https://www.exploratorium.edu/lc/search/boolean.html

“You’re so vain, you probably think this query’s about you…”

(Couldn’t resist.)

(My current project is a cozy for middle-aged, probably-but-not-necessarily-female science geeks. Comps: yeah, all the cozies, but there is that part of me that says it’s filling a sub-niche that hasn’t quite been tackled yet. Lifetime did do a movie about an astronomer once…)

Haha, so true, Sue. I’m losing sleep over this one! 🙂

Really though, if one focuses on the audience rather than the specific topic of the book (as in my discussion with Anthony in the comment above), it’s not that hard to find books to compare with yours.

Anthony, that is exactly the advice I give writers in regards to coming up with comparable books. Ask yourself, “What are my readers already reading?” Focus on the audience more than the book. Great job!

I agree. When I read other books it makes me appreciate the wonderful writers in the Christian book market. Rachelle’s post was a nice chuckle with my morning coffee.